STRINGSCALES

A♭ pelog Scale — Guitar Fretboard Visualization

Low E string: Fb, Ab, Bbb, Cb, Eb, Fb at frets 0, 4, 5, 7, 11, 12

A string: Bbb, Cb, Eb, Fb, Ab, Bbb at frets 0, 2, 6, 7, 11, 12

D string: Eb, Fb, Ab, Bbb, Cb at frets 1, 2, 6, 7, 9

G string: Ab, Bbb, Cb, Eb, Fb at frets 1, 2, 4, 8, 9

B string: Cb, Eb, Fb, Ab, Bbb, Cb at frets 0, 4, 5, 9, 10, 12

High E string: Fb, Ab, Bbb, Cb, Eb, Fb at frets 0, 4, 5, 7, 11, 12

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Ab pelog

The pelog scale is a five note approximation, in Western tuning, of the Indonesian pelog tuning system used in gamelan music: root, flat 2nd, flat 3rd, 5th, flat 6th. Real pelog is a seven tone tuning that does not map onto equal temperament, so treat this as a color palette rather than a transcription. Its stacked half steps around the root and 5th produce the shimmering, gong-like character.

it consists of these notes and degrees:

A♭

I

B𝄫

bII

C♭

bIII

E♭

V

F♭

bVI

Same notes, different mode

Ab pelog uses the same notes as the scales below. Start from a different note and you get a new mode built on the very same note set.

Fb ionian pentatonic

pelog in all 12 keys, with chords and related scales

tip
  • Five notes approximating gamelan pelog in Western frets: root, b2 (A), b3 (B), V, b6 (E); keep an ostinato, not a solo, mindset.
  • Interlock two patterns an octave apart, one busy, one sparse, imitating kotekan; the scale rewards texture over melody.
  • Both half steps (b2 (A) to root, b6 (E) to V) resolve downward; ending on Ab or the 5th always sounds right.
  • Real pelog tuning is not equal-tempered: bend b2 (A) and b6 (E) slightly to taste and the flavor gets closer.

How to play A♭ pelog on guitar

Four open strings belong to this key, both E strings plus the A and the B, so you have ringing options at the nut even though none of them is a root or a fifth. Closest root to the nut is fret 1 on the G string, which means first position stays open to you. Lowest root is fret 4 on the low E. Position work shifts at fret 8, and a capo at fret 1 recasts the whole grip as G pelog.

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